2013 Training Log – Week 41
For the first time in many years, I’m mostly injury-free in the off season. Other than some perpetual calf tightness in my right leg, I’m feeling better than I have in quite a while. Training is going well and I intend to keep it that way. I’ve missed doing weekly training updates on my blog because it is a great way for me to reflect on things at a little higher level vs. just one day at a time.
I’m not following any plan right now, just running how I feel and finally mixing in some solid bike efforts like I have been meaning to do for a very long time. Feeling optimistic about 2014 and ready to put in the work to make it my best year yet.
Monday – 7 run
Rare weeknight run from home. Was going to head up to state park visitor center, but the gates closed 6pm so headed back and did a loop of west village. Pushed for sub-8 pace and felt pretty good doing it despite a good bit of climbing.
Tuesday – 7 run
Steady lunch run.
Wednesday – 31 bike
Dropped the kids off for school and pointed the car west to Moab. The family was gathering for the weekend, and I was going two days early to get some quality dirt time.
Checked in at KOA and headed up to ride Porcupine Rim. A long-time favorite that I had not been on in this century.
I packed an extra 64oz of water, 2 cokes, and some other stuff to leave as a cache for the run I was planning on doing the next day. My pack was huge and heavy, but the bike responded well and I made short work of the long grind out of town.
When I made it to the high point of my ride, I found a place to stash my loot and made a stick arrow just off the side of the trail so I wouldn’t forget where I had hidden it.
Thursday – 24 run
Started raining at midnight and was super soggy all morning. I waited it out for a while and then ran the Porcupine Rim trail up from the Colorado River.
Nice little aid station at the top…
Friday – 66 bike
Met up with my brother and a couple of friends to spend the day riding all over the place. Our original White Rim plan had to be scrapped due to the park closures as a result of the gov’t shutdown. Those guys were bike fit and I struggled all day hanging off the back, despite putting in a big effort. Fun day, though – and glad we were able to do it.
Saturday – 7 run, 3 hike
Heard the parks had opened due to a last-minute deal with the Utah governor sending a $1.7 million dollar wire to Washington to buy 10 day’s worth of operation for the 5 National Parks in Utah. I got up early and ran from our hotel in town to the entrance of Arches via the nice bike path. My legs were tired, but responded better than I thought they would.
The park was open and we ended up spending the whole day there hiking around and seeing the sights.
Sunday – 0
No run. Headed back to Arches with family and had another great day checking out the park.
Total – 48 run, 97 bike, 19:11
Photo Shoot: 2013 Backcountry Wilderness Half Marathon
This is a fun race to try and photograph. It’s over quickly, so you have to plan ahead and execute well to catch the runners.
I hadn’t even touched the camera for over a month, very unusual for me as I typically get out with it a few times each week. The upside is that I have been spending a lot more time running and riding. I’m not 100% injury free, but I’m feeling far better than I have in recent years. My body is letting me train with some focus and intensity, so that is what I have been doing.
I didn’t have much free time this morning, so I knew I wouldn’t be able to stay long enough to photograph the entire race. With that in mind, I selected just two locations to hit that would give me the most variety and opportunity. Much like last year, I showed up before dawn and got in a good 10 mile run before shifting gears into photographer mode.
The early gray skies soon gave way to sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures. I was impressed with the speed of the lead runners. They were hauling!
2013 14er Trip – Day Four
The party’s nearly over. This was our final summit of the week, just an easy hike up Mt. Sherman before doing the LT100 night run later in the evening.
Crossing the meadow just after leaving the cars was a fantastic trip through the flowers. I’ve never seen so many Columbine in one spot.
Sherman is a very unimpressive looking summit for a 14er. It’s tough to get a respectable shot of it, but I was happy with the morning light and made the most of this one.
The whole mountain is a giant pile of fractured rock.
With a nice view of Leadville and Turquoise Lake down below.
Saturday morning during Boom Days (Leadville’s town celebration) is a busy time to be on such an accessible mountain.
One last pika.
Then as we were close to being finished, Malcolm spotted this cool hummingbird moth and I was able to get a quick shot off before it darted away.
Due to work and other responsibilities, this trip almost did not happen. I am so glad we pushed through the challenges and made it materialize. It was an amazing way to spend a slice of the summer with my son up in the Colorado high country.
The Scene Begins 